Satellite imagery reveals extent of destruction of Commonwealth war graves in Gaza

By defence correspondent Andrew Greene

Posted Mon 22 Jul 2024 at 10:12am

It shows the contempt that Israel has for the world!! – Mark

Dozens of graves belonging to Australian soldiers located inside an historic Gaza cemetery are feared to be damaged or destroyed following Israeli military operations over recent months.

Earlier this year, international media reports suggested at least 16 cemeteries had been desecrated during the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF’s) ground offensive against Hamas, launched in response to the deadly October 7 terrorist attacks.

Recent satellite imagery has revealed the extent of damage to one of the sites, the Gaza War Cemetery at Deir El Belah, which is mainly dedicated to fallen Allied personnel and is administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

The Gaza War Cemetery contains over 3,600 Commonwealth burials, mainly from World War I. Around 260 of the graves are dedicated to Australian soldiers, primarily light horsemen killed in 1917.

Now a series of images produced by Canadian geospatial firm SkyWatch appears to show the Gaza War Cemetery and its surrounds have been heavily damaged.